HealthInfo Canterbury
Canterbury Better Breathing programme
If you have a breathing problem, the Better Breathing programme can help you to improve your breathing and fitness. The programme does this through education and exercise. This is called pulmonary rehabilitation.
People with breathlessness lose fitness. The programme teaches you to manage your breathing through gentle movement and exercise.
The programme includes education sessions that help you to:
- understand your breathing condition
- know how and when to get help
- know how to use your inhaler
- understand the importance of getting enough sleep
- set goals
- learn breathing exercises.
Studies suggest that people with lung conditions like COPD do better if they do pulmonary rehabilitation.
In Canterbury, a free eight-week pulmonary rehabilitation programme called Better Breathing is available for people with long-term chest conditions like COPD.
The programme consists of a two-hour session twice a week, and participants are encouraged to attend as many sessions as possible.
- Each session includes an hour of exercise followed by an hour of education by various local experts.
- These pulmonary rehabilitation programmes are held at various locations around Canterbury.
- You will have an assessment about a month before starting the programme.
There are entry requirements for this programme. If you are interested in attending a pulmonary rehabilitation programme, phone (03) 353‑9973, or talk to your GP.
Upcoming programmes are as follows:
Programme start date |
Location |
Venue |
|---|---|---|
January 2020 |
Spreydon |
Christchurch South Tongan Methodist Church, 5 Somerfield St |
February 2020 |
Ashburton |
Ashburton Senior Centre, 206 Cameron St |
March 2020 |
North New Brighton |
North New Brighton War Memorial Hall, 93 Marine Pde |
April 2020 |
Hornby |
Hei Hei Community Lounge, 12 Wycola Ave, Hei Hei |
May 2020 |
Papanui |
Christchurch Chinese Methodist Church, 165 Papanui Rd |
August 2020 |
Ashburton |
Ashburton Senior Centre, 206 Cameron St |
August 2020 |
Rangiora |
The Function Centre, Rangiora Showgrounds, 160 Ashley St |
September 2020 |
Linwood |
Linwood Salvation Army hall, 177 Linwood Ave |
September 2020 |
Spreydon |
Christchurch South Tongan Methodist Church, 5 Somerfield St |
Watch a video on the Canterbury DHB Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programme.
In this video, Tuli shares his story about learning to breathe better through the Better Breathing pulmonary rehabilitation programme.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Canterbury Clinical Network – Brochure about pulmonary rehabilitation
Information about pulmonary rehabilitation, including advice from someone who has been on a programme.
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Endorsed by community respiratory physician, Canterbury DHB. Last reviewed November 2017. Last updated April 2020.
Review key: HIPRP-38066
